Senate confirms generals for top Air Force, Africa commands

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed two senior generals to lead the Air Force and the command responsible for military operations in Africa.

By voice vote late Wednesday, senators approved the nominations of Gen. David Goldfein to be the Air Force's chief of staff and Gen. Thomas Waldhauser to run U.S. Africa Command.

Goldfein had been serving as the service's No. 2 uniformed officer.

Air Force Secretary Deborah James on Thursday tweeted her congratulations to Goldfein. She says his swearing-in is set for Friday.

Waldhauser is a Marine Corps general who told the Senate Armed Services Committee recently he is not aware the U.S. has an "overall grand strategy" for Libya. The country has been in turmoil since the 2011 toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.